radar detector selection
06-26-2006, 05:46 PM
#1
radar detector selection
fellow maxima owners: what kinda radar detector do yall recommend? im looking at something inbetween 50-75$, even cheaper if there is one that works good that is cheaper. im a total newbie to these so tell me what i need to know about em. thanks.
06-26-2006, 06:14 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 121
I have one of the 130 dollar Cobra ones. The thing with RD's is, if it saves you once, it paid for itself. Mine did that . . . once. That said, it goes off all the time with X bands, which are typically alarm systems. It goes off randomly with K alerts, which are radar, when there is no radar in sight. And it hasn't gone off multiple times when there are radar guns in use. I just got a ticket 2 months ago for doing 75 in a 55 (I was doing about 82), and the thing never went off, and I saw the guy gunning me as I came around a corner. So honestly, even they go off, sometimes it goes off too late to save you. I still find myself slowing down at all the usual radar traps because I don't trust the thing.
06-26-2006, 06:24 PM
#8
^ thats in some cases. Not always. remember guys radar detectors only detect RADAR!!! It doesn't detect cops. So if they sit on the side of the curb with the radar gun off. And you zoom by at 85mph your screwed...
Something is better then nothing but don't get all cocky and go 100mph. Your eyes and common sense is better then any v1/8500/rx65 anyday.
Something is better then nothing but don't get all cocky and go 100mph. Your eyes and common sense is better then any v1/8500/rx65 anyday.
06-26-2006, 06:48 PM
#10
its not worth getting those 50 dollar detectors. detection wont be as good and distance is another issue. they wont work for beans. yes the x50 and V1 will go off on those automatic doors, but thats usually X-Band, which you can turn off. i believe the farthest the 2 detectors have detected is about a mile, thats with a clear line of sight. if you really need one, get either the Escort x50 or the Valentine 1. youre paying $100 more for the arrows on the V1. im satisfied with my x50. the best detection are your eyes and common sense. if you want to look up reviews and tests check out this site: www.radarbusters.com
06-26-2006, 07:01 PM
#11
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 3
I used to own a Beltronics Express 795 which is considered the best radar detector for under 100$, well atleast what i read in a review. I had it for about 8 months and it saved me mulitple times. However if you have the cash and would like a good radar detector then i would suggest a Beltronics RX-65 which is what i own now. It is awesome in range of detection. I was going 90 when it detected radar and i didnt see the cop for atleast 30 seconds later and he was in a hot pursuit traveling in the opposite direction as me. So i would suggest either of these 2 detectors that i mentioned.
06-26-2006, 07:26 PM
#12
Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 48
I have and used a Passport (Mark I) for years. It worked fine until the newer Ka band radars became more common in my area. The best thing about the detector was the education I got - how and where cops watch for speeders. I retired it after about 10 years because the lack of warning (it filtered out the new radars) was becoming a problem.
I didn't replace it and I didn't really change my driving patterns. I find I do as well as any detector equipped driver without it. I haven't had a ticket or an accident for 26 years. And I still average better than 70. Average!
So, bottom line, the detector warns you of what it can receive. If the cop is not illuminating traffic ahead of you and you are the first to crest the hill or round the bend, you will get painted and you will get the ticket. The detector is a strategic weapon, not a tactical weapon. Only rely upon it when in traffic, never when solo or first of a pack. Get to understand where cops sit. Begin to think like a cop and you will find you slow down for high risk areas, which usually happen to coincide with high risk accident areas.
Be safe, and don't bother with a cheap unit. Get a V1 or don't bother! Then learn about the system and become a safer driver. Avoid excessive speed where it leads to accidents.
I didn't replace it and I didn't really change my driving patterns. I find I do as well as any detector equipped driver without it. I haven't had a ticket or an accident for 26 years. And I still average better than 70. Average!
So, bottom line, the detector warns you of what it can receive. If the cop is not illuminating traffic ahead of you and you are the first to crest the hill or round the bend, you will get painted and you will get the ticket. The detector is a strategic weapon, not a tactical weapon. Only rely upon it when in traffic, never when solo or first of a pack. Get to understand where cops sit. Begin to think like a cop and you will find you slow down for high risk areas, which usually happen to coincide with high risk accident areas.
Be safe, and don't bother with a cheap unit. Get a V1 or don't bother! Then learn about the system and become a safer driver. Avoid excessive speed where it leads to accidents.
06-26-2006, 07:28 PM
#13
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Traverse City, MI
Posts: 785
Originally Posted by Mr****s95SE
its not worth getting those 50 dollar detectors. detection wont be as good and distance is another issue. they wont work for beans. yes the x50 and V1 will go off on those automatic doors, but thats usually X-Band, which you can turn off. i believe the farthest the 2 detectors have detected is about a mile, thats with a clear line of sight. if you really need one, get either the Escort x50 or the Valentine 1. youre paying $100 more for the arrows on the V1. im satisfied with my x50. the best detection are your eyes and common sense. if you want to look up reviews and tests check out this site: www.radarbusters.com
There is a 30 something page thread in the audio forumo on this that you could read if you want
06-27-2006, 04:26 AM
#16
Originally Posted by motocross416
+1 don't spend any money on a detector except for a good one. My v1 picks up police and incredible distances, honestly, it almost picks them up too far ahead sometimes. You'd be happy with any high end detector, I love my v1 because of the arrows.
There is a 30 something page thread in the audio forumo on this that you could read if you want
There is a 30 something page thread in the audio forumo on this that you could read if you want
arrows for the muthafoocking win cant beat them worth the 100 bux
06-27-2006, 04:41 AM
#17
V1 or the 8500 escort. You get a $75 cheap radart detector, you get what you pay for. I have both. They work great. Also, there is a huge thread on this. Search for it. Its pretty amusing to read also.
06-27-2006, 10:55 AM
#18
I would highly recommend Escort Passport 8500 (X50 or not)
It works great and saves you MANY times. For real!
It costs ~$200.
If this is too expensive, get a higher end Beltronic RD (BEL).
Anything that starts with 8 or 9 (BEL 880, 890, 970, 980, 980) You can find BEL used on Ebay for less than $100. Get one! The higher the model number - the better. Brand new BELs are also great but $$$.
Do NOT buy cheap "new" stuff. They are useless.
It works great and saves you MANY times. For real!
It costs ~$200.
If this is too expensive, get a higher end Beltronic RD (BEL).
Anything that starts with 8 or 9 (BEL 880, 890, 970, 980, 980) You can find BEL used on Ebay for less than $100. Get one! The higher the model number - the better. Brand new BELs are also great but $$$.
Do NOT buy cheap "new" stuff. They are useless.
06-27-2006, 02:05 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,771
Originally Posted by aih98max
hmmmm, ill have to think about this. any more opinions??
Also, keep in mind...if you think a radar detector will somehow solve all of your speeding ticket woes, then you should probably think about just slowing down and forget the detector alltogether. Most people that have successfully used radar detectors seem to utilize a high level of common sense ALONG WITH its use - otherwise, a radar detector by itself is just an invitation to MORE speeding tickets...especially when using a cheap one!! If this doesn't specifically apply to you, then I apologize...I just thought it worth mentioning.
Tony
06-27-2006, 02:19 PM
#21
to Tony's post. I also recommend the X50, which I'm currently using. But never depend on detectors 100%. It'll just give you a false sense of security, which will eventually bite you in the butt.
06-28-2006, 06:59 AM
#22
Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 190
06-28-2006, 01:28 PM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 121
As I said, mine cost about 135 dollars . . . it detects like 15 different bands, X, K, V, safety strobes, etc . . .
I do find the safety strobe alert helpful at times. Newer cops and emergency vehicles can send out a strobe when travelling with their sirens on. I have been notified several times while driving that a cop or ambulance was coming up behind me or towards me well before they ever passed. I never heard their sirens because of either wind noise or music, but the alert was definitely helpful.
That said . . . once, it went off in a parking lot with an alert I never heard before, then proceeded to tell me a train was coming . . . there weren't train tracks within 10 miles of me.
I do find the safety strobe alert helpful at times. Newer cops and emergency vehicles can send out a strobe when travelling with their sirens on. I have been notified several times while driving that a cop or ambulance was coming up behind me or towards me well before they ever passed. I never heard their sirens because of either wind noise or music, but the alert was definitely helpful.
That said . . . once, it went off in a parking lot with an alert I never heard before, then proceeded to tell me a train was coming . . . there weren't train tracks within 10 miles of me.
06-28-2006, 03:26 PM
#24
Originally Posted by triumphD6
I never heard their sirens because of either wind noise or music, but the alert was definitely helpful.
06-29-2006, 02:59 PM
#27
OP- I know you are moving to SLC in a few weeks/months. If you are getting for the 15 back and forth from home and school, just know that they use a lot of laser on that stretch (my buddy got tagged with his V1-they used laser). I figure it's worth the little extra cash to get the best, so I'll be getting either the x50 or the V1 (I tried to live without one, but the motorcycle is going to get me in trouble sooner or later).
06-29-2006, 05:44 PM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 121
Originally Posted by AscendantMax
so you heard a beep over the wind noise or music, instead of their loud siren?
06-29-2006, 06:42 PM
#30
Originally Posted by RockfordMax
does the x50 or V1 deal with laser? Otherwise you're only covering half your ***, get a Blinder M20 along with a V1 and youre stealth
06-29-2006, 07:16 PM
#31
Originally Posted by dansmax2003
x50 detects Laser and so does the V1. HOw well they do it - it's a different questions. NO Radar detector (with or without laser detection) will provide 100% protection. Laser guns are very very dangerous ...and if a $200+ unit like Passport X50 or V1 can't help, how would a $80 cheapo readar detector ever do it???
06-30-2006, 07:53 AM
#33
ahi- I checked into it, and laser jammers are illegal in Utah (of course that only matters if you get caught). I priced it out about 6 months ago and it looked like it was about $600 or so for a jammer and a radar/laser detector that interfaced nicely.
07-02-2006, 05:52 AM
#34
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 56
Call Valentine Research at 1 800 331 3030 and ask for a returned Valentine One and you will get 10% off the retail price of $399. It will be the latest version V1.8 POP2 w/ Euro-mode and 3.826 firmware and that comes with all the accessories and a 1 year warranty.
07-02-2006, 05:56 AM
#35
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 56
Originally Posted by RockfordMax
Either way, a RADAR detector won't help you if your local PD uses laser. Mine does, so really, there is no point.
V1 is the best in laser detection:
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtop...213&highlight=
http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detector-performance/
http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...adar-detector/
http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...ice-laser-gun/
http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...adar-detector/
http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...ice-laser-gun/
07-02-2006, 06:00 AM
#36
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 56
Originally Posted by triumphD6
As I said, mine cost about 135 dollars . . . it detects like 15 different bands, X, K, V, safety strobes, etc . . .
The only bands used in the U.S. for police radar are X, K, Ka, and laser.
07-02-2006, 06:02 AM
#37
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 56
Originally Posted by KyMan
ahi- I checked into it, and laser jammers are illegal in Utah (of course that only matters if you get caught). I priced it out about 6 months ago and it looked like it was about $600 or so for a jammer and a radar/laser detector that interfaced nicely.
Are Laser Jammers Legal?
The following states are known to have legislation prohibiting the use of laser jammers:
California
Colorado
Illinois (as of 1/1/2006)
Minnesota
Nebraska
Oklahoma
Utah
Virginia
Washington DC
This list is not guaranteed to be complete. Before purchasing or using a laser jammer, be sure to check you local laws.
07-03-2006, 06:38 AM
#40
Originally Posted by KyMan
ahi- I checked into it, and laser jammers are illegal in Utah (of course that only matters if you get caught). I priced it out about 6 months ago and it looked like it was about $600 or so for a jammer and a radar/laser detector that interfaced nicely.